Sensors are commonly used in conjunction with microcontrollers which read the sensor’s output and make decisions based on it. Now a new class of smart sensors is being introduced which will integrate the sensor and microcontroller in one unit.
One example is the Freescale MMA9550L, the industry’s first intelligent high precision motion sensing platform that manages multiple sensor inputs and makes system-level decisions. It extends 3-axis accelerometer functionality with a programmable core and on-chip memory to enable advanced motion sensing capability. The MMA9550L may be programmed to provide freefall detection, tilt and 3D orientation detection, tap and double tap detection, dead reckoning, shock, vibration and sudden motion detection, and power management.
While the MMA9550L is in “product introduction pending” status, it serves as an example of the type of multifunction parts we can expect to see from many manufacturers in the near future.